Retreats

When there are no Residential Programs occurring, the McCall Outdoor Science School is open to educational groups for workshops, seminars and courses. Like a campground, MOSS is a rustic, limited service rental facility on the shores of Payette Lake and within the boundaries of Ponderosa State Park.

We do our best to accommodate guest needs with our available resources, but cannot guarantee the same level of service as a large hotel or conference facility. Guests should expect to check themselves in and be self-reliant overall. Contact us today to see if we have space for your group.

More information

The classroom can hold 60 people and is centrally located on campus with a view of the lake. Two meeting yurts are available and can hold up to 30 people. An outdoor meeting area is available for warm, sunny days. There is also a large amphitheater area complete with lake view and fire pit. Please bring your own meeting supplies, including tape, scissors, pencils, dry erase markers, flip chart paper, etc. When the main office is open (no regular weekend hours), you can purchase copies -- $0.10 per black and white copy and $0.25 per color copy.

Bunkhouses, cabins and yurts are available for groups in a scenic, unique and rustic retreat setting. From August through May, we typically can accommodate 112 people. In June and July, we typically can house 148 people.

The cozy main lodge, complete with beamed ceiling, stone fireplace and a view of the lake, seats up to 60 people for meals. Home cooked meals are served buffet style with a diverse salad bar at lunch and dinner. Our professional food service staff provides healthy, nutritious meals for residential guests that are as locally sourced as possible. We offer vegetarian options as well and can provide options for those with food allergies given advance notice.

Travel Directions

Located on the southeastern shore of Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho, just 100 miles north of Boise and 200 miles south of Moscow, the University of Idaho McCall Field Campus is surrounded by hundreds of acres of public land covered with stately Ponderosa pines, marshlands and meadows.

From all points, travel on State Highway 55 to downtown McCall. Turn east on Park Street. Park will turn into Thompson Street. Continue to the STOP on Davis Street and turn left. Go straight through the STOP on Lick Creek Street (Davis turns into Miles Standish Road here) and you will enter Ponderosa State Park. If there is a Park employee at the kiosk, tell him/her you are going to the University of Idaho McCall Field Campus (MFC). Continue to the MFC driveway and guest parking area (look for the sign on the left side of the road one tenth of a mile from the Park kiosk).

RV spots and camping are available across the street at Ponderosa State Park, 208-634-2164.

We are required to do a Facilities Use Agreement with groups. We will complete the first page of the agreement and supply it for you at the time of booking. You will be asked to read, sign and return the agreement within 7 days of booking. The Facilities Use Agreement requires proof of general liability and, in most cases, worker's compensation.